Notes on the Genus Ervthemis 15 



(2, 6, 7), March 23 and 24, 1920; Palma Sola, ( i, 6. 7), March 4. 6. and 10, 

 1920; Encontrados, (i, 6, 7), April 23 and 25, 1920; El Guayabo, (4, 6, 7), 

 April 20 and 22, 1920. 



In life mithroidcs is a rich-colored and active species, usually with lower 

 flight than the slender species hacmatogastra and plcheja, which are possibly 

 more wary and active than mithroidcs. About the ponds where mithroides 

 often occurs in considerable numbers it is often seen resting on the leaves 

 of coarse grasses and sedges, its color and activity making it conspicuous. 

 We have found it in numbers on several occasions: the pond on the upper 

 side of the railroad out from Santa Marta and just beyond the bridge over 

 the Manzanares ; the large swamp south of Mamatoca near Bolivar ; and the 

 little ponds along the railroad and beyond the Cana Fraile out from El 

 Guayabo. 



One of two males taken at Rio Neuvo has the triangle of both front 

 wings free. One of the large males taken in Guatemala and described by 

 Dr. Ris (Coll. Selys, p. 1173) was referred to Dr. Kennedy, who kindly 

 examined the penis of the specimen and found it agreeing with penes of 

 smaller specimens of the species. 



6. Brythcmis peruviana Rambur. Panama: Gamboa, Canal Zone, (3), 

 August 5, 1920, J. H. Williamson. Colombia: Rio Frio, (4, 5, 7), January 

 4 and 6-8, 1917; Fundacion, (i, 4, 5, 7), January 10 and 12, 1917; Bolivar, 

 (5, 7), December 19, 23, and 26, 1916; Rio Neuvo, (2, 5), January 22, 1917; 

 Magangue, January 21, 1917; El Banco, (i, 2, 4, 5, 7), January 24, 1917; 

 Las Delicias, January 28, 1917; Puerto Berrio, (4, 5), January 31 and Feb- 

 ruary 8, 1917. Venezuela: Tucacas, (2, 5, 7), March 23 and 24, 1920; 

 Palma Sola, (i, 5, 7), March 4, 6, 8, and 9, 1920; Bejuma, (7), February 

 16, 1920; Encontrados, (i, 5, 7), April 23, 25, and 26, 1920; El Guayabo, 

 (4, 5, 7), April 20, 1920. 



Bates, as recorded by Ris, states: "Banks of brooks near Para, Obydos 

 very plentiful." In fact, this species may occur about some favored habitat 

 in possibly larger numbers than we have ever seen any other species of the 

 suborder Anisoptera. Under such circumstances, usually about a pond or 

 muddy, sluggish, and sun-exposed creek or ditch, most, if not all, of the 

 'individuals will be teneral or lacking the colors of the fully adult. However, 

 a few mature ones in full flight, by their restless activity and general imper- 

 tinence toward other species, may make collecting of other Anisoptera at the 

 same habitat difficult or well-nigli impossible. And when at some swamp or 

 pond the collector finds peruviana represented by only one or two adult 

 males, he will usually find the capture of these a difficult or even impossible 

 feat if he depends solely on his insect net. 



As in other species observed, the females of peruviana are more voracious 

 feeders than the males. A female taken at Encontrados, Venezuela, was 

 feeding on a butterfly, Thymelicus afhenion Huebner, as determined by Mr. 

 William Schaus. In fact, Lepidoptera seem to be a favorite food for species 

 of Erythemis, and I have records of simplicicoUis in Indiana feeding on 

 Thecla liparops Bd. and Lee, and Haploa confusa Lyman, both determina- 

 tions by Dr. Dyar. 



